work problems

What are you supposed to do when depression and anxiety start affecting your work? (Leaving early, missing time, etc.) My excuses are getting old, and frankly I'm tired of making them.

a lot depends on where you are, in terms of laws re discrimination and medical leave, as well as how long with you've been with the company. But I'm a big believer in being open with my employer. If you have an HR department you can talk with them if that's easier than talking about it with your direct manager, although I think talking to your direct manager is better. If it's effecting your performance odds are they've already noticed so it's better to be proactive. But decide what you want & need out of the conversation. Do you just need flexibility in your hours, or do you need reduced hours for a period of time. Is taking a leave an option so that you can focus on getting better.

In the past I've oppenned up the conversation with something like "I'm having some personal health issues that I feel are affecting my work, and I'd like to discuss how to handle them and work with you."

For example I'm in group therapy once a week for addictions treatment so I negotiated taking a 1/2 day off on Mon. and I make up the hours over the other days & every body's happy. They don't know exactly what I'm in treatment for, just that it's health related and that I'm being treated as an outpatient at a hospital.

Good luck. Like I said I believe it's important to be proactive and open as you can be with employers.

--spltimage

I can completely relate......I have yet to find a real solution. I was open with my last employer but at the same time when I'm out for days it starts to feel wierd around the office.

I'm always the one to call in sick, where as my co-workers never call in. Do you just learn to feel shameless about your poor attendence? Who knows.....I'm eager to read others suggestions and stories.

Good Luck!

I agree with Splitimage, tell them you are having medical issues and you need to work 1/2 days, making it 20hours a week, or go on disability for a couple of months than try going back 1/2 days. It's all how you feel and what the company is willing to handle. I've been where you are now, calling in sick all the time and I felt my job was on the line, but I'm on disability do to my headache and now for depression.

Good luck on what you decide, it will get better.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I appreciate them. I have been having such a bad time lately. I am going to talk to my psychiatrist next week at my appt about what he thinks I need to do about the work situation. I may need to go ahead and take short term disability or something.

Taking a leave of absence or STD is a thought. You don't need time and attendance issues at work to add to your problems or to give your employer a reason to terminate you. Just a thought.

((Jully )))
sometimes taking a break from work can help
getting rest and your thoughts together can really help

I am glad you are seeing your psychiatrist and asking advise
can you talk to your boss too
sometimes they really listen
remember you matter
peace and hope and kindness to you
muffy

Make sure what ever choice you make, you are physician supported. I do know that once your company is made aware (put on notice) that you have a disability the law changes for your protection. Mental illness is considered a disability. Depending on the size of the company, they are required by law to make certain accommodations for your disability. I went through my company's Disability Management Dept (DMD) sometimes called Employee Health. That way confidentiality came into play. All my boss and co-workers knew was I was sick. The DMD knew everything and talked freely with my physician so I could get paid while I was off. Then when you return, again by law they are required to make certain accommodations to transition your return. But, make sure your physician supports you (either Family Doc or even better psychiatrist). Best wishes and prayers.

Right there with ya. This is my 2nd week of short-term disability for exactly the reasons you described: I was making lots of errors, etc and it was getting old for all involved.

If you have been at your job more than a year, you are covered under the Family Medical Leave Act. That means they have to hold your job open for you for 12 weeks (max available per year). I am taking that and short-term disability (so I get paid -- FMLA isn't paid) while I figure out what to do next. Your doc will have to sign papers for both, so that'll serve as a doctor's note.

Good luck to you. Let me know if you need to talk to somebody in the same boat!

Hi. I am new to this group and I have been dealing with depression issues and anxiety issues for the past 3 months. I knew I was kinda messing up at work, but just recently got hit with a "written notice" and was told to shape up in 90 days or get fired. I guess my work/actions have been worse than I really was aware. My employer/supervisors were not aware that I have these issues..because I did not feel comfortable telling them. I have been under dr's care during this time too. What are my options at this point? Course this has not helped my situation at all..and now I just feel worse about myself....

Six months ago, I was the perfect employee...but now....I guess not.

Any suggestions would be welcome....

Thanks...

Talk with your HR dept. I had the head of mine inform my boss that I was taking disability. He knows a very, very little about my mental health and I didn't want to disclose any more, and HR is bound by confidentiality. Legally, all they can tell anyone else is that you're on medical leave -- if you give a reason, that's up to you. The only other people at work who know what's going on are the two I've told.

Good luck.

Candy

Thanks for the advice. My company is small, and I am not really sure whom is our "HR" person. I think the office manager is...as she handles the medical benefits etc......

I checked my company handbook today and it says that I need to provide 30 day notice to take FMLE, if possible.....so I guess that means I really don't need too? Nothing about taking formal disability......

I spoke to my Dr today and told him my situation, and he indicated he would give me a note for time off and that I am under medical treatment.

Today was a bit frosty at my workstation, as the management staff knew I had received a notice, and my direct supervisor was especially frosty and very business like. It seemed like the day was never going to end, and I could hardly wait until lunch and 5 pm.

I have decided to try to look for another job...but this economy has really affected jobs in my field and area......hardly any, and alot less salary. So I am not sure if that is going to be an option at this point. But I feel no matter what I do, they are going to terminate me anyhow.

So I just don't know what to do at this point....just take some time off at least and try to get my head straight a little more.

Thanks for listening....

For emergency situations I'm sure you don't need to provide 30 days notice (maybe for elective procedures).

Sometimes when we don't feel well, our ability to gauge other's responses to us is altered and we misperceive them. Sooo..if your doc will support it take your FMLA. It will give you time to heal and think.

Hugs and prayers-Angel

Well, I spoke to my Dr and received note indicating I was under treatment since day one, etc.... So I gave it to the gal in the HR department and had a confidential chat with her. So it seems they did NOT take in consideration that I might be having some "health issues" at all. Just jumped the gun and wrote me up. So I guess my direct supervisor feels bad now, and wanted to speak to me, but did not do so all week. I told her I did not want to share this info with them previously, as I felt uncomfortable doing so and felt like my direct supervisor would not understand at all.

So as it works out...I am leaving this job soon anyhow. My former boss wants me to come back to work for him now...which is closer to home, and with the same salary & benefits. So....this ended up working out for me, which I find unbelievable still.

I am still working on my depression issues and trying different meds to see what works for me...so far nothing works yet. They all make me feel either wired, tired, sluggish, weird or foggy.

Most of my depression is coming from a bad breakup with a boyfriend who was manipulative, a liar, and emotionally abusive. So I am trying to get over it the best I can, and move on. Plus I had issues from my previous divorce over a year ago; a delayed reaction as such; and family issues with my dementia mother. So I guess I just kinda had a meltdown. Fortunately, I been going to a therapist for a while, which probably helped in the long run....but I still don't feel very good about anything. I am still deeply greiving over the loss of the boyfriend, although I know he was "toxic" to me. I have never had such a terrible hard time letting someone go....I just loved him too much, and he knew it and took full advantage of it. I have never had any man use me in this way in my life, and I guess I am just taking it too hard. I am over 50 now..which I think makes me feel like there is "no other man" who will find me attractive and want to be with me either.....and it is hard to find someone in this age demographic. I need to feel more comfortable about being alone and not with a man in my life. I always had a man around since my late 20's, and now think I can't function without one in my life. So I have a lot to work on in the coming months.......

Well, thanks for listening.....